Convoy For Tots event hauls in 22K toys

November 29, 2017 06:39 AM

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) - An annual Toys For Tots event held last weekend in upstate New York turned out to be much more successful than organizers initially thought.

Sunday morning's event by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Capital Region Toys For Tots was dubbed Convoy for Tots because it involved about 200 law enforcement, fire department, emergency services and private vehicles.

The procession hauled toys several miles from Ballston Spa to the parking lot of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where the toys were off-loaded and packed in large cardboard boxes for distribution in the Albany area.

Officials said they expected more than 13,000 toys to be donated for the fourth annual event. Organizers announced Monday that the final tally of toys topped 22,000.

The first Convoy for Tots involved about 20 vehicles and brought in 2,000 toys.